Pelican 1740 review: a deep rolling long case for several guns
Our verdict: 4.4/5. The Pelican 1740 Protector Long Case is the case to buy when you need to move several long guns, or other long and bulky gear, in more than one layer and on wheels. Its strength is depth, not length: Pelican lists the interior at 40.98 x 12.92 x 12.13 in, a 9.57 in deep base and 3.72 cubic feet of volume, with two automatic pressure equalization valves, an O-ring seal and wide-track wheels. One OpticsPlanet reviewer fit three rifles and three pistols with magazines. The trade-offs: it weighs 27 lb with foam empty of gear, long rifles may have to come apart to fit, the supplied pluck foam draws complaints, and its size can mean airline oversize fees. Travelling with a bow instead? See our Pelican Air 1745 bow case review.
OpticsPlanet shoppers rate the listing 4.9/5 from 8 reviews, all written between 2010 and 2015. The row we price (Black, with 6-piece foam set, MPN 1740-000-110) sells for around $560; the listing's Desert Tan with-foam row lists at the same price. Check price and availability on OpticsPlanet.
How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from Pelican's own 1740 spec sheet (description, features, dimensions, materials, weights and temperature range), the OpticsPlanet listing and all eight reviews on it. We have not used this case ourselves. Pelican's 1740 product page, read on October 4, 2026, gives the same figures as the spec sheet. The retailer reviews are old, so we say so wherever a point rests on them. Claims we could not confirm on a Pelican source are left out. See how we evaluate.
What the Pelican 1740 is
Pelican lists the 1740 among its gun cases but does not sell it as a gun case only. Its spec sheet pitches it for "a telescope, jack hammer, rifles, chainsaw, tripods and lights, and other long gear", says Pelican developed it "for easy one person transport", and says its depth and length "allow for infinite storage possibilities." OpticsPlanet files it under dry boxes. Five of the eight retailer reviews, though, are from people moving firearms.
The design is about depth. A 2.56 in lid and a 9.57 in base give 12.13 in of total interior depth, which is what lets owners stack guns in layers or stand them on edge in the foam. The feature list on Pelican's sheet: four extra-deep base-to-lid locking cleats for stacking stability, two integrated automatic pressure equalization valves, two double-wide handles, wide-track polyurethane wheels with ball bearings and nylon hubs, stainless steel hardware and padlock protectors, an O-ring seal, and "Open cell core, polymer wall construction". Pelican calls it "Watertight, crushproof, and dustproof" and backs it with what it calls its "Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence"; the product page's buy box labels it a "Limited Lifetime Warranty".
Key specifications
| Spec (Pelican spec sheet) | Pelican 1740 Protector Long Case |
|---|---|
| Interior (L x W x D) | 40.98 x 12.92 x 12.13 in (104.1 x 32.8 x 30.8 cm) |
| Exterior (L x W x D) | 44.16 x 16.09 x 14.00 in (112.2 x 40.9 x 35.6 cm) |
| Lid depth / bottom depth | 2.56 in / 9.57 in (total depth 12.13 in) |
| Interior volume | 3.72 cu ft (0.105 cubic m) |
| Weight | 27.00 lb with foam, 22.00 lb empty |
| Buoyancy | 267.00 lb |
| Temperature | -40 F minimum, 190 F maximum |
| Padlock hole diameter | 0.31 in |
| Materials | Polypropylene body, ABS latches, polymer O-ring, stainless steel pins |
| Pressure valves | Two integrated automatic pressure equalization valves |
| Foam (with-foam version) | 6-piece Pick n Pluck foam set (replacement set: 1741) |
| Colors | Black, Desert Tan, OD Green |
| Configurations | 1740 Standard, 1740NF No Foam, 1740WF With Foam |
| OpticsPlanet rating | 4.9/5, 8 reviews (2010 to 2015) |
| Price, row we price (Black, with foam, 1740-000-110) | around $560 |
Specifications are Pelican's, from its 1740 spec sheet, and match its 1740 product page. The OpticsPlanet spec table matches Pelican on the dimensions, depths, weights and buoyancy, and differs on the maximum temperature (it lists 210 degrees F against Pelican's 190 degrees F); we print Pelican's figure. The spec table carries no IP rating: Pelican's 1740 spec list and spec sheet give none, a Protector-series section on the same product page says "IP67-rated", and the OpticsPlanet table says IP65. The interior dimensions are the shell's; the foam takes up part of that space.
What fits inside
The interior is 40.98 in long, so that is the limit for anything lying lengthwise, before foam. Reviewers who carry firearms describe a range of loads, each depending on their own guns and foam layout:
“I was able to fit 3 rifles, 3 pistols and at least 3 mags for each.”
gearguy (CA), verified owner, 4 stars, 2015, via OpticsPlanet
A reviewer from New Hampshire lists Pros as "Holds two scoped carbines and two pistols in each level", one from Oregon lists "held 6 medium-sized firearms", and the most-helpful review says "I can fit at least 3 weapons depending on their set up." Not every owner uses it for guns: one bought it to carry medical equipment for a teaching course across Canada and calls it easy to fly with, and another moved a tripod and four light stands.
“Held tripod and 4 light stands with room left over and was still under 70 lbs.”
Verified owner (RI), 5 stars, 2010, via OpticsPlanet
Length is the limit owners mention. Two of the eight reviewers wish it were longer: the Oregon owner writes "Longer would have been nicer, but not surprised at length", and gearguy, the one four-star reviewer, had to break down their larger rifle.
“My only complaint is that I wish it were a few inches longer (insert joke) so I didn't have to breakdown my larger rifle.”
gearguy (CA), verified owner, 4 stars, 2015, via OpticsPlanet
The foam: plan your layout
The with-foam 1740 comes with a 6-piece Pick n Pluck foam set, per Pelican, and Pelican sells a replacement set (1741). Three of the eight reviewers have complaints or workarounds for the pluck foam. The Alaska owner, who bought two cases, says the foam "leaves a lot to be desired" and plans custom foam sets later; the New Hampshire owner prefers cut solid foam; gearguy seals the leftover cut lines.
“Pick-n-pluck foam squares are huge and make outlines rough.”
Verified owner (AK), 5 stars, 2012, via OpticsPlanet
“Pluckable foam is fast and easy but cut solid foam results in a better final product.”
Verified owner (NH), 5 stars, 2013, via OpticsPlanet
gearguy's tips are worth reading before you pluck anything: experiment with layouts (rifles assembled and broken down), mark the layers so they go back in the same order, and, once the layout is final, "I recommend using a hot glue gun to seal up the pre cut lines in the remaining foam or it will continue to separate." The same owner calls the pluck foam "great to get close to a custom fit insert", so it works, it just takes care.
Moving it: wheels, handles, latches and locks
Pelican lists wide-track polyurethane wheels with ball bearings and nylon hubs and two double-wide handles. Of the seven reviews we count as independent, three praise the wheels by name: the Oregon owner lists "fat wheels" and "handles at both ends", the medical-equipment buyer lists "easily maneuvered with teh handle & wheels", and the most-helpful review says "The roller wheels on this particular model are huge (in a good way)".
Two smaller gripes each come from a single reviewer. The New Hampshire owner's only con is "Clamps can be difficult to close." The Alaska owner wanted more lock points: "Only 2 lock placements, would like at least 3." Pelican's sheet lists stainless steel padlock protectors with a 0.31 in padlock hole, and lists a 1506TSA TSA Lock among its accessories.
Flying with it
Pelican's exterior dimensions, 44.16 x 16.09 x 14.00 in, add up to 74.25 linear inches. One reviewer who uses it as a travel case for two scoped carbines and two pistols puts the consequence plainly:
“Overall dimensions (L+W+H)results in most airlines charging an oversize fee.”
Verified owner (NH), 5 stars, 2013, via OpticsPlanet
The same owner notes it "Will fit side to side in most full size rental car trunks." With 27 lb of case and foam before any gear goes in, weight adds up quickly too. Airline size and weight limits and checked-firearm rules are set by the airline and the authorities, not by Pelican or by us, so check them for your trip.
About the owner reviews
The listing has 8 reviews: seven at five stars and one at four. All eight were written between 2010 and 2015, and seven carry OpticsPlanet's Legacy Reviewer label, meaning they come from its older review system. They describe the case as it was sold then; the specifications on this page come from Pelican's current spec sheet. One of the eight, a five-star review about using the case as a storage box in a UTV, was posted from an address on OpticsPlanet's own email domain, so we do not count it as an independent owner and do not quote it. Six reviews carry OpticsPlanet's Verified Owner tag.
Trade-offs, plainly
- Heavy before you load it: 27 lb with foam, 22 lb empty, per Pelican.
- Built for depth, not length: the interior is 40.98 in long, and two reviewers wish it were longer.
- The pluck foam is a starting point; three reviewers complain about it or work around it.
- Big for air travel: 74.25 linear inches outside, and one owner reports oversize fees on most airlines.
- Locks and closing: one reviewer counts "Only 2 lock placements" and wants at least three; another writes "Clamps can be difficult to close."
- An old retailer record: every OpticsPlanet review is from 2010 to 2015.
Should you buy it, and what else to consider
- Buy the Pelican 1740 if you move several carbines, pistols and magazines together, or long, bulky gear such as tripods and light stands, and want one rolling, lockable, sealed case.
- Plan on custom foam if you want a clean, tight fit; the supplied pluck foam works but owners describe the extra work.
- Skip it if your rifle is longer than the 40.98 in interior and you do not want to break it down, or if you fly often and oversize-bag fees matter to you.
What else to consider:
- Carrying a bow, not rifles: our Pelican Air 1745 review covers Pelican's bow case, which comes with an archery kit and has a 44.01 in interior.
- Just a range trip: our best range bag guide covers soft bags for the range.
FAQ
Is the Pelican 1740 worth it?
If you need one rolling, lockable hard case that holds several long guns, or other long and bulky gear, in more than one layer, it is a strong pick. Pelican lists 12.13 in of interior depth and 3.72 cubic feet of volume, two pressure equalization valves and wide-track wheels, and OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.9/5 from 8 reviews. The catches: it weighs 27 lb with foam before you load it, the interior is 40.98 in long, and every retailer review is from 2010 to 2015.
How many guns fit in a Pelican 1740?
It depends on the guns and how you cut the foam. Pelican gives the interior as 40.98 x 12.92 x 12.13 in. On OpticsPlanet, one reviewer fit 3 rifles, 3 pistols and at least 3 magazines for each; another holds two scoped carbines and two pistols in each level; another lists 6 medium-sized firearms. Two reviewers wish the case were longer, and one had to break down their larger rifle to fit it.
Is the Pelican 1740 waterproof?
Pelican describes it as watertight, crushproof and dustproof, with an O-ring seal and two automatic pressure equalization valves. On the 1740 product page, in a section about its Protector cases, Pelican writes: "IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof through precision engineering and O-ring seal." The 1740's own spec list and spec sheet give no IP figure, and the OpticsPlanet spec table lists IP65, so we leave the number out of our spec table.
Can you fly with a Pelican 1740?
Owners have: one reviewer took it on a cross-country flight, and another, who carries medical equipment in it, calls it easy to fly with. Size is the issue. Pelican lists the exterior at 44.16 x 16.09 x 14.00 in, which adds up to 74.25 linear inches, and one reviewer says the overall dimensions result in most airlines charging an oversize fee. Pelican lists a 1506TSA TSA Lock as an accessory. Check your airline's size and weight limits and the current rules for checked firearms before you fly.
How much does the Pelican 1740 weigh?
Pelican lists 27.00 lb with foam and 22.00 lb empty. Add your gear on top of that.
What temperatures can the Pelican 1740 handle?
Pelican's spec sheet gives a minimum of -40 degrees F and a maximum of 190 degrees F. The OpticsPlanet spec table lists a higher maximum, 210 degrees F; we go with Pelican's figure.
More gear for the range and the road: Pelican Air 1745 bow case review · best range bag (soft bags for the range trip) · best handgun safe · best gun oil · how we evaluate.